Inspired by Robert Frost’s classic poem, “The Road Not Taken,” Mississippi-born rapper/producer Big K.R.I.T. escapes from the ordinary pressures of regular everyday life on his new mixtape, It’s Better This Way.

Narrated by DJ Drama, K.R.I.T. opts for the “road less traveled by” on his new concept album featuring special guest appearances by Warren G, Ludacris, Young Dolph, K Camp, BJ the Chicago Kid and others.

Photo/ DatPiff.com

The mixtape kicks off with the jazz-infused “King Pt. 4,” produced by Kenneth Whalum III, a composer/tenor saxophonist who has previously worked with such big name pop artists such as Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Jay-Z.

K.R.I.T. returns on the ones-and-twos for his latest Cadillac-themed track “86,” featuring Mike Hartnett on bass and guitar. The song originally was released in August, as a teaser for K.R.I.T.’s new 14-track project.

Featuring the original “regulator” himself—Long Beach-native Warren G—the song “No Static,” sounds like something taken straight from the annals of Hip-Hop’s “golden era,” from the late-1980s to the mid-1990s.

Up-and-coming music producer Wolfe De MÇHLS also teams up with K.R.I.T. for the banger, “Shakem Off” featuring Ludacris and K Camp, and “In the Darkness,” featuring additional vocals from Nina Milan.

“Vanilla Sky,” is a soothing reprieve from the rest of the album, with a soulful sound similar to groups like the Goodie Mob or Slum Village, it’s more akin to a spoken-word poem than modern rap. Perhaps, what makes this song so great, is how K.R.I.T. incorporates Whalum’s saxophone, Milan’s vocals and Wolfe De MÇHLS’ drum program into this heartfelt song.

Houston rapper Delorean, fellow Mississippi native Big SANT and Scar also join K.R.I.T. on the track “Got Me Through,” a song that cuts deep with its story about tough times and life in the south.

It’s Better This Way, the new mixtape from rapper/producer Big K.R.I.T. is available free to download at BigKrit.com or mixtape authority DatPiff.com. Also, be sure to catch Big K.R.I.T. on his Kritically Acclaimed Tour, from Oct. 22 – Dec. 18.